Position
Honorary Research Associate

Qualifications
BSc MSc PhD (Syd)

Dr Tricia Woodman teaches homeostasis, endocrinology, cardiovascular physiology and microbiology to undergraduate students and reproduction to both undergraduate and post-graduate students.  Recently she has been involved in an offshore pathophysiology course to students undertaking a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Nursing) at the Singapore Institute of Management.

Dr Woodman is involved in the Australian Birth Defects Society (formerly the Australian Teratology Society) and has been secretary of the society for over 10 years.  She is also a member of the Teratology Society (USA) and the Australian Society for Reproductive Biology.

Dr Woodman's research interests focus on chemical causes of birth defects.  She has four main projects:

Genotoxicity of chemicals

Research into potential causal links of chemical exposure and cancer or genetic disorders.   An experimental approach using in vivo and in vitro techniques has been developed to investigate chemical toxicity.

Potential adverse reproductive effects of herbal remedies

Research into potential reproductive toxicity of herbal formulations widely taken in the community.  To date investigations have involved the herbal remedies goldenseal, feverfew, hawthorn, valerian and yarrow.  Both in vitro and in vivo animal models are being used to assess the herbal remedies.

Male mediated birth defects

This project involves investigation of the role of herbicides and other chemicals in causing male-mediated developmental toxicity.  Studies are being undertaken in which male rats are exposed to herbicides and their offspring assessed for chromosomal anomalies and malformations. 

Does vitamin A cause birth defects ?

This study investigates various aspects of vitamin A induced birth defects. This a collaborative project with Dr Helen Ritchie.

Titles of some of her publications are available.

For more information: